The meaning of God here is related to the root for strength and mighty. Some words that illustrate the kind of strength would be a political chief, a strong ram, an oak or other strong tree and a pilaster (a strong support.)
When going through the uses of this form of God in the Old Testament, it struck me that there were many different adjectives and descriptions used to show some of his character. Some of them are jealous, greatly to be feared, the avenger, not a man that he should lie. Others are most high, everlasting, healer, source of life, merciful, faithful, great, living, rock, full of compassion; the God who sees; the God of truth without iniquity, of knowledge; God is with us; the heavens declare the glory of God. This form of God is even used in the Psalm Jesus quotes as he is on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Ps. 22)
God is to be feared. He is jealous. He is strong. Yet his strength does not weaken in his compassion for us and protection over us.
So when I pray the beginning of David's prayer, "Search me, o God," I can be confident that I am exposing myself to a strong God. A God, who in the words of Mr. Beaver in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is not safe, but good.
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